1Prozak has also offered 1 Amazon item of USD39.95 (the price of 1 year membership) or less as an optional first place prize.
That's right, a total prize value of nearly USD85! But really, who can put a price on the honor of being GDNet+ified? Especially those people that don't have credit cards!
This time, instead of Saturday, I will hold it on Sunday. We will start at 3PM EST (GMT1900). This gives pretty much half of the globe (and most of the English speaking world) a good block of time to compete.
Rules:

Coding begins at 3PM Eastern Standard Time, by the GDNet Server Clocks.

Coding ends at 6PM, again by the server clock.

Submissions must meet a predetermined theme (which will be discussed in this thread) and/or restrictions (perhaps the developer may not use 3D graphics).

Submissions must fall under a predetermined size limit. However, given the scope of the projects, this limit should be chosen to be reasonable but very difficult to exceed. I'm initially thinking 10MB.

Any Language (C, Java, C#, Python, javascript, Brainf***, I don't care) or API (SDL, Allegro, PyGame, JOGL, etc) is acceptable, as long as you handle all distribution yourself (Ideally include all assemblies. You *may* link to a direct download, but a download page is UNNACEPTABLE. One click should be all I need to download the components I need). Do not assume the Judges have any particular machine setup.

Game Makers are NOT acceptable

You may use rendering frame, input manager, math library, or sound manager base code that you have written, but no other code. You must post this code in a source tag in the forum on Friday night before the competition to keep the playing field even (anyone may use it if they want). The judges reserve the right to veto your use of such code (hence the need for the Friday night deadline).

Judges will judge on a full binary version of the software. They will not compile the software.

Judging will be conducted by a panel of non-competitors (open voting didn't work too well last time).

Judging will be based mostly on overall gameplay and originallity of game design. Graphics will be a minor part, but mainly in the fluidity of the graphics (stuttering, tearing, flickering graphics will be very bad). We understand that content will be light, that graphics will be underdevloped, that input MIGHT be a bit akward. Gameplay is the key.

prizes are listed above

ostensibly, winners will post their winning game in the GDNet Showcase.

runners up receive nothing.

we will attempt to pursue full legal action against nefarious ne'er-do-wells (those that would upload destructive code).

Three hours is plenty of time to make a classic arcade game, or something new with simple gameplay. Check out the previous contest to see what was done. Gameplay is what this contest is about.
If anyone wants to volunteer as a Judge, please post here and list your machine specs as well as your pertinent software running on your computer. For example, I'm:
Processor: Pentium4 2.4GHz
Memory: 768MB RDRAM
GFX: Radeon 9800
Sound: SB Audigy 2
OS: Windows XP Pro SP2
Other Software: Java 5, .Net 1.1, DX9c
*I believe prizes of greater value require some sort of legallitization stuff. Is there a lawyer-wanna-be in the house?
[Edited by - Fruny on July 30, 2005 7:57:31 PM]

Personally, I feel like NO PREVIOUS CODE should be allowed. I think that each 3 hour contest should have a theme, and restrictions, such as "unique RPG battle engine using PyGame. Go." Or, "Pong based game using SDL. Go!" The only issue is experience level with the tools. Maybe just a general theme: Pong based game or RPG Battle Engine...and let players do what they will. But I would definitely say: no previous code. Someone could have a DirectInput engine written and post it and I would be unable to use it because I am on a Mac, so it really doesn't even the playing field.

But thumbs up for doing this, mate. I am seriously thinking about participating (I am EST...so 3pm is sort of prime day real estate).

Original post by visagePersonally, I feel like NO PREVIOUS CODE should be allowed. I think that each 3 hour contest should have a theme, and restrictions, such as "unique RPG battle engine using PyGame. Go." Or, "Pong based game using SDL. Go!" The only issue is experience level with the tools. Maybe just a general theme: Pong based game or RPG Battle Engine...and let players do what they will. But I would definitely say: no previous code. Someone could have a DirectInput engine written and post it and I would be unable to use it because I am on a Mac, so it really doesn't even the playing field.

the problem is, this is all pretty much boiler plate stuff. I'm not talking about a renderer, I'm just talking about a window to render in. I want this to be about game DESIGN, not about coding simple framework stuff.

Quote:

Original post by RavuyaWhat do we win if we already have GDNet+?

the offer for a hot plate of Rocky Mountain Oysters still stands. Find something of comparable value that you think will be desireable and I'll consider it.

We must also consider a theme. I had been thinking "High Seas" or maybe "Deep Space". Space and the sea are pretty barren places, so not a lot will have to go into the environments.

Herm. I dunno -- my only thought is that you want to ensure someone only uses the 3 hours specified...but by announcing this early, you already put that goal in jeopardy (though, there really was no other way). Long contests get by this issue by announcing the contest on the start date -- afterall, what is a few days here and there for developers? But when someone sees the contest after 2 hours in, they can't really start.

So what if the judges built base code? I guess the issue is then that it forces certain people who might not know/have access to the technology out of the competition.

I guess there is really no winning situation here.

Though, I suppose that as long as things are available for download for all, they become just like PyGame or SDL, which are legit...

Maybe they have to be posted 2 days before so everyone can view and have the ability to learn the technology?

When I first read the subject I was thinking this was going to be about some computer virus someone can't get rid of.. =P A thought.. perhaps announce a simple theme to void out those who have pre-existing projects but basically anything goes otherwise. I imagine for a 3 hour compo you already have to be pretty comfortable with what you are going to be working with.

"Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.".....V

As long as you abide by the lisence agreement, I don't see why not. I just read over the information on the site and it actually looks pretty cool. When I get home tonight I will register and download the framework to fully evaluate it, but it doesn't look like it should be a problem.

If there are more than twenty legitimate entries, then I'll donate to the winner any programming-related book or books whose total retail value (not including shipping) is below $100. (Disclaimer: If you win, you'll need to provide certain personal information required for shipping, like your name and address. Or, if you live near Charlottesville, I can just give it to you.)

Quote:

Original post by capn_midnightIf anyone wants to volunteer as a Judge ...

Can base code include stuff like math libs and error handling etc? Also, would you really want it all - renderers, yes, but input & sound managers and math libs just seem a bit pointless... they never really vary in quality like renderers do.